German company ThyssenKrupp claims it was inspired by Star Trek's turbolifts when creating the concept for its MULTI elevator concept, which will ferry passengers via a dual-axis design. If that's not crazy enough, check out the wacky buildings TK believes will house those elevators.

John Hopkins University scientists are currently working on what they're calling "micrograbbers" made of hydrogel and stiff polymers. Someday, they hope to send these tiny objects into your body to perform procedures that might otherwise be invasive.